New Kensington-Arnold Catholic youth form global Zoom friendship with Ukrainian teens

A video about St. Vladimir compiled by Ukrainian teens was the start of a unique online friendship with Catholic school students in Arnold and New Kensington.

“The kids watched the video and thought it was really cool and interesting to connect with kids across the world,” said Heather Hensley, regional director of young adult faith formation for New Kensington and Arnold parishes.

“It was a good learning opportunity for our kids.”

She expects the Zoom connection to continue and thrive.

It was spearheaded by the Rev. Yaroslav Koval of St. Vladimir Ukrainian Catholic Church after successful efforts by local Catholics to raise money for Ukrainian children orphaned by war.

A campaign by Koval this summer raised nearly $10,000, with help from even the youngest members at Bible School who held a Penny War to illustrate that every cent counts.

Proceeds benefit a youth group at the Emmanuel Youth Group of the Blessed Martyr Josaphat Kotsylovsky in Stryi, Ukraine. The group is run by the Rev. Mykhailo Hloviak, a friend of Koval’s.

“They can learn from each other,” Koval said. “I’m not worried about language barriers. We will connect by faith.”

Most of the Ukrainian children speak English, he said.

With nearly 3 million people displaced from Eastern Ukraine during the Russian invasion, Koval said it is a global responsibility to embrace the orphaned children. About 70 kids attend the Sunday school run by Hloviak.

They spend time playing outside, dancing and painting, all of which help them sort through feelings of loneliness and worry stemming from the war, Hloviak said.

“Connecting the kids is a great idea,” Hloviak said. “We might talk about our problems, and it helps children to communicate on different topics. Maybe they will get ideas on how to share feelings.

“Father Yaroslav is interested in our experience, and we are interested in the experience of the USA.”

Hensley said the fledgling program already has proved impactful.

“When we watched the video they made about St. Vladimir and why he is significant to them, it seemed important to the kids,” she said. “It was awesome to see.”

Koval said he envisions a quick camaraderie between the children here and in Ukraine.

“They can see how faith can help us go through challenges,” he said.

“We can learn from them, they can learn from us.”